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| September 25, 2005 | Sunday | Sha'aban 20, 1426 |
Starcraft stuns favourite
LONDON, Sept 24: Ex-Australian champion Starcraft, ridden by French jockey Christophe Lemaire, upset the cream of Europe’s top milers to win the prestigious Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday. The 7-2 third favourite outbattled 6-4 favourite Dubawi, ridden by Frankie Dettori for the Godolphin outfit of Sheikh Mohammed of Dubai, to score by three quarters of length.
The race was the highlight of the Ascot Festival of Racing, switched to Newmarket this year while redevelopment continues at the Berkshire track.
Nine years ago Dettori stunned bookmakers when he rode all seven winners on the first day of the Festival at combined odds of over 25,000-1.
But he had to play second fiddle on Dubawi, winner earlier this year of the Irish 2,000 Guineas and the Prix Jacques Le Marois at Deauville.
Earlier Ouija Board, successful at the Breeders’ Cup in Texas in 2004, returned to winning form in the Princess Royal John Doyle Stakes.
Ridden by Dettori, Ouija Board, sent off as 11-8 favourite, won easing up by two and a half lengths. This year’s Breeders’ Cup at Belmont, New York, on Oct 29 is now firmly back on the agenda.—Reuters
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